Beat | A Jenlisa Fan Fiction

Chapter 14

Trigger warning: contains and/or mentions homophobia

LISA'S POV

I left Jennie's house feeling conflicted. It wasn't my intention to eavesdrop but her parents' tone took me by surprise so much that my feet were glued to the floor. Hearing what her parents said to her, I wanted to hug and comfort her.

I can't imagine what it must've felt like hearing those words coming from her own family. It was unbelievable to me that such judgmental people could raise an amazing person like her. My parents had always been supportive of everything, including my sexuality. Though other people judged, it didn't matter because my parents loved me for who I am.

I realized how much courage it took for Jennie to accept her feelings for me, knowing that the people she cared about most might frown upon it. She showed me that she was willing to risk her relationship with them just to be with me.

I was struck with a pang of guilt, unconvinced if I was worth the trouble. What if after all the risk she's taken, I wouldn't be enough? What would happen to her and her family? I didn't want to be the reason for destroying her relationship with her parents.

I spent the entire weekend trying to decide what I should do next. I didn't think I could stay away from her even if I wanted to, but at the same time, I didn't want to create more problems for her.

I went to uni still not knowing what to do, so I waited for Jennie in the parking lot like I've been doing the past week. After a few minutes, her car pulled up at her usual spot and I walked over to the driver's side to open the door for her.

We walked through the halls in silence. It was a bit awkward for me because she didn't know that I heard her conversation with her parents and she seemed like she wouldn't tell me about it. She was acting a bit guarded and she refrained from starting conversations with me, but I guess that was to be expected.

***

We didn't talk much for the next few days. In fact, the only times she approached me was if a school work required it. There were times when I could feel her looking at me, but she would turn away the moment I looked back.

It frustrated me how much she was holding back but I could never blame her for the way she was acting. I knew what her reasons were; I heard them straight from her parents' mouths. But understanding something didn't necessarily mean accepting it. I was almost at my wit's end, so I decided that I'd be the one to take the first step.

We settled at our table in the cafeteria after getting our food. I watched her for a moment and told myself that I would definitely talk to her before the day ended. Little did I know, my plan would be utterly useless after the conversation that would soon take place.

"I have something to tell you guys," Jennie said while staring directly at me. The three of us turned to her, waiting for her to continue.

"Uhm, well... my parents set me up for a blind date. They insisted I go so I had no choice but to say yes. It's one of the sons of a member of the board of directors in their company. They want me to have dinner with him next week."

I felt a pang in my chest as I listened. I didn't want to get in between her and her parents, but it was just unbelievable how they'd go as far as forcing her to do something like this.

I wanted to tell her not to go, to stay with me instead, but I had no right to react badly to this. I rejected her and that was on me. I swallowed the lump in my throat before speaking.

"Oh, okay... have fun, I guess." I tried to give her my most convincing smile then returned to my meal. I could sense her trying to look for any indications of how I truly felt, but I did my best to keep my emotions in check.